DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Unit Strategic Plan and Annual Report --Academic Year 2007-08
___X____Academic Unit ______Administrative/Support Unit
- Unit Title: Delta Music Institute
School/College or University Division: College of Arts & Sciences
Unit Administrator: Tricia Walker
II.Educational Program Learning Outcome Assessment Plan(Academics)
Learner Outcomes identified for the major.
A. Learning OutcomeWhat should a graduate in the
BSIS/DMI Concentration
major know, value, or be able to do at graduation and beyond? / B. Data Collection & Analysis
1. What assessment tools and/or methods will you use to determine achievement of the learning outcome? 2. Describe how the data from these tools and/or methods will be/have been collected.
3.Explain the procedure to analyze the data. / C. Results of Evaluation
What were the findings of the analysis? / D. Use of Evaluation Results
1.List any specific recommendations.
2. Describe changes in curriculum, courses, or procedures that are proposed or were made/ are being made as a result of the program learning outcome assessment process.
Operate multiple audio recording consoles and multiple audio software platforms in order to demonstrate an understanding of digital audio technology, recording methods, and practice
GE 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 /
- Successful completion of 12-18 hours recording technology classes and lab work; 75% pass rate of a written proficiency test that includes the recall and definition of recording elements, and an applied proficiency test that demonstrates the successful operation of DMI sound recording technology. A common rubric agreed upon by the DMI faculty will be used as the assessment tool.
- Data collected at end of semester in final projects
- Data analyzed by instructor using criteria established in syllabi
Students completed entry-level projects with a basic level of proficiency. There is a wide range of creativity and subjectivity in student projects, which continues to be a challenge in preparing authentic assessment.
Although performance levels increased, some students did not meet project deadlines or complete lab requirements. / 1.
a. Recommend that content of entry-level computer audio skills class be redesigned to cover several audio software platforms over two semesters.
b. Refine assessment tools that measure levels of proficiency in the use of digital audio technology as students progress through the courses.
c. Develop and implement clearly defined project timelines and lab requirements. Clearly communicate with students any penalties for missed deadlines and be willing to enforce consequences.
2.
a. DMI 103 (Computer Skills for Musicians II) is being developed to add to the DMI curriculum.
b. Instructors are being directed to design or re-design courses with authentic assessment as a priority
c. Instructors are being encouraged to clearly define attendance policy, project deadlines, and lab schedules for students, and reward performance accordingly.
Examine and analyze complimentary areas of the music industry, both creative and business, in order to evaluate challenges, and create solutions to situations unique to the music and entertainment industries
GE 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 /
- Successful completion of 3-12 hours course work in related areas of music industry Assessment measured by rubrics developed by courses instructors
- Data collected during semester tests, exams, projects
- Data analyzed by instructor using grading forms and by peer review
2.DMI 101 (Music Business Survey) will be developed as a survey of the music industry. This class will be developed as an online course, in addition to a face-to-face course. DMI 492 (Music Copyrights & Contracts) was offered as a hybrid course in the Spring 2008 semester. DMI 310 (The Business of Songwriting) was added to the DMI curriculum to address basic issues regarding music publishing.
Design, develop, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive project that demonstrates a working knowledge of the technical, creative, and business areas of the recording arts and the music industry
GE 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 /
- Successful completion of DMI/SRT 441: Senior Project, demonstrating student’s ability to analyze specific issues and to combine ideas and practice from complimentary music industry areas in the completion of student’s individual project
- Data collected at completion of project
- Data analyzed by faculty review
2. Develop DMI 300: Indy Music Entrepreneurship to cover issues regarding artist and product development, promotion, publicity, and marketing. Students will apply this knowledge in their DMI/SRT 441 project.
III. Goals
-- For the Current Year
A.Goal # 1: Complete the renovation of Whitfield Gym into the DMI Recording Studios
1. Institutional Goal that was supported by this goal: SP #3
2. EvaluationProcedure(s): Monthly project meetings were held as the construction project progressed towards completion. Biannual reports regarding the project grant were filed with the federal government to indicate status of project.
3.Actual Resultsof Evaluation: The DMI studio construction project began in Fall of 2007. At the time of this report (July, 2008), the studio project is 98% complete. A Neve V360 large format recording console was purchased for the control room in Studio A. As a result of the superior upgrade to the studio space, consensus is that the front part of the first and second floors of Whitfield should be considered for renovation while the building is vacant. This space will house the DMI offices, classrooms, audio labs, and rehearsal spaces.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Studios A and B will be operational for 2008 fall semester. Students will divide time for classes between Bailey, Ewing, and Whitfield until the move back into Whitfield is complete.
B.Goal #2: Hire technology and music production instructor for DMI for the purpose of teaching digital audio courses and expanding the program curriculum.
1. Institutional Goal that was supported by this goal: SP# 3
2. EvaluationProcedure(s): Job was advertised in appropriate listings and interviews were scheduled and conducted in the late spring of 2007.
3.Actual Resultsof Evaluation: Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Snyder was hired in fall 2007. In addition to instructing classes, Dr. Snyder assisted in curriculum development and implementation of current digital audio software programs in the DMI digital audio lab.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Entry and mid level digital audio courses taught by Dr. Snyder within the DMI program provided a solid foundation for the sound recording technology courses. Student enrollment in the courses increased. Additional courses taught by Dr. Snyder will be added as the curriculum develops.
.
-- For Coming Year(s)
A.Goal # 1: Complete renovation of Whitfield Gym to include the DMI classrooms, offices, audio labs, and rehearsal spaces
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal: SP # 1, 3
2. Expected Results: When completed, this world class recording facility, unique to not only to Mississippi, but to the entire Southeast region, will provide state of the art audio recording, editing, and mixing capabilities for DSU students and the community at large. A digital audio lab and an audio transfer lab will be used extensively for recording and archival projects, and ample rehearsal space will be available for performing ensembles. Newly renovated classrooms will offer students a vibrant learning environment. Recording services offered to the public will allow DMI students a wealth of opportunities for application of knowledge by having hands on experience in planning and executing real world projects.
3. EvaluationProcedure(s): Studio management software will be implemented for tracking session and project activity in three recording studios, two audio labs, and two rehearsal spaces. Archival projects and recording sessions outside of the studios will be logged and tracked according to established departmental procedures.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Annual review of studio projects and clients will be evaluated for time management, student engineer staffing, session efficiency, income/expense per session in order to streamline studio operations and optimize learning opportunities for students.
B.Goal #2: Develop 2-4 courses in the DMI curriculum as online or hybrid courses.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal: SP #2:
2. Expected Results: Offering online and hybrid courses from the DMI curriculum will broaden the reach of the DMI program to attract students and non-traditional students who have an interest in the program but are not able to attend classes on campus. A projected increase in course enrollment is 15-25% within the first two years of implementation.
3.Evaluation Procedure (s): Number of online and hybrid students would be calculated and reviewed at the end of the academic year and compared to the number of traditional face to face students. Academic assessment would also be compared between online and face to face students.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Determine, by evaluating online enrollment and efficiency, if online and hybrid courses are meeting departmental goals.
C. Goal # 3: Design and develop a curriculum for a B.A. or B.S. in Music Industry Studies to be implemented by fall of 2010.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal: SP # 1, 2, and 3
2. Expected Results: A Music Industry Studies degree will attract quality students who have an interest in the music and entertainment industry to pursue a focused degree within the State of Mississippi at the Delta Music Institute.
3. EvaluationProcedure(s): DMI students will gain valuable knowledge and practical experience in the music and entertainment industry by progressing through a rigid curriculum of technical, creative, and business courses designed to prepare studentsfor various roles in the demanding world of the music and entertainment industry.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Graduates in Music Industry Studies will enter the music and entertainment fields and make unique contributions to the industry. Graduates will promote the DMI program and recruit new students who are seeking a degree in Music Industry Studies.
D.Goal #4:Develop and promote one new commercial music ensembles performing repertoire from the various genres of American roots music.
1. Institutional Goal(s) supported by this goal: SP # 1, 4
2. Expected Results: The DMI will recruit students and promote the DMI through performances by these ensembles. DMI ensemble performances will expose hundreds of area residents and students to contemporary American roots music, much of which originated in the Mississippi Delta. Ensemble performances will contribute to the cultural fabric of the community.
3. EvaluationProcedure(s): DMI students will gain a working knowledge of commercial music through a scholarly approach to the material, disciplined rehearsals, and consistent performances.
4. Use of Evaluation Results: Ensemble quality and overall student achievement will improve.Revenue from performances will be used to maintain equipment, develop ensemble promotional tools, and support travel needs for the ensembles.
Goal #5 / Institutional Goal / Baseline(AY 2006-07) / Year 1
(07-08) / Year 2
(08-09) / Year 3
(09-10) / Year 4
(10-11) / Year 5
(11-12) / Year 6
(12-13)
A. To increase number
of majors 75% in 5 years / SP 2 / 31 DMI; 6 SRT / 40 DMI; 4 SRT
- Data and information for department:
The Delta Music Institute (DMI) is a center for music industry studies at Delta State University, one of eight state-supported institutions of higher learning in Mississippi. The focus of the DMI is to provide our students with a broad and thorough education in the technological, business, and creative areas of the music industry. DMI students will study audio engineering, recording technology, andmusic production as well as songwriting and contemporary composition. The College of Business at Delta State will contribute studies in standard business practices and entrepreneurship, and will also offer specialized courses in music industry law, music publishing, and copyright issues.
The DMI is located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of the Blues, land of juke joints, cotton, and the Father of Waters, the Mississippi River. It is the land that produced blues masters Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Charlie Patton, Howlin’ Wolf, and B.B. King. Much of the American repertoire was inspired by the style of early Delta musicians. The music of the Delta has helped shape the language of modern music defined in the styles of the legendary Sam Cooke as well as the groundbreaking rock-and-roll style of Elvis Presley. Delta culture also influenced the minds of literary giants William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, and Richard Wright. Students of the DMI will have the opportunity to be immersed in this cultural heritage.
The Delta Music Institute features a revolutionary approach to learning. Using state-of-the-art digital audio interfaces, multiple audio software platforms, and Apple computer technology, students will learn the art and science of audio engineering by recording, editing, and mixing music under the instruction of experienced music industry professionals. The DMI will also provide live recording opportunities in the Bologna Performing Arts Center, a complex supporting world-renowned performances and public programs throughout the year. Other hands-on experiences will include recording in campus venues as well as local venues throughout the Mississippi Delta, the home of inspiring gospel, blues, and jazz performances.
The DMI offers a comprehensive undergraduate experience leading to a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. This degree integrates practical experience in digital recording, music production, and entrepreneurial music projects, with the opportunity to study other disciplines. Many multidisciplinary courses are planned to help complete other general education requirements. Students majoring in music may affiliate with the DMI by seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Music Production.
There are currently 40 students seeking the B.S.I.S. degree with a DMI concentration and 4 students seeking a B.A. degree in Music with an emphasis in Music Production (SRT track).
DELTA MUSIC INSTITUTECREDIT HOUR PRODUCTION
Summer
2007 / Fall 2007 / Spring 2008
UG / GR / UG / GR / UG / GR
DMI / 27 / 0 / 183 / 0 / 222 / 0
SRT / 0 / 0 / 12 / 0 / 10 / 0
TOTAL / 27 / 0 / 195 / 0 / 232 / 0
Academic Year 2007-08 graduates: Six (6) BSIS (with DMI concentration), One (1) BA graduate (with Music Production emphasis)
An Instructional Technology Challenge Grant was awarded to DSU faculty member Dr. Mark Snyder of the Delta Music Institute, who proposed a student-centered e-learning project designed to give students "real world" experience with industry-standard applications while building knowledge repositories that complimented teaching and learning. Grant recipients used the fall term to secure the hardware, software and peripheries for their projects and implemented the projects (and assessed the results) in the spring.
The Delta Music Institute hosted the first Delta Hip Hop Conference: “Bridging The Gap From Blues To Rap” on February 28 on the DSU campus. Activities during the conference included two panels, a film screening and discussion, and a multi-artist performance showcase. Grammy award winning artist, Al Kapone, was one of the featured panelists of the conference.
In support of the Delta Hip Hop Conference, the DMI was awarded a Bryce Griffis Presidential Endowment Fund grant.
The first annual Electroacoustic Juke Joint music festival was held in Cleveland at the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the DSU campus and at Po’ Monkey’s Lounge in Merigold. This new music festival, hosted by the Delta Music Institute, featured performances of new music from over 30 national and international composers in the electro-acoustic genre. The festival is the brainchild of DMI faculty member Dr. Mark Snyder, who created and directed the critically acclaimed Imagine II electronic music festival in Memphis. The festival was featured in New Music Box, Synthtopia, and Modesti.
DMI engineering students, under the supervision of instructor Mike Iacopelli, served as production assistants during the recent 20th Annual Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN. Students gained valuable hands-on experience in audio mixing, stage management, and live sound reinforcement.
Jason and Lori Morris of Cleveland, Mississippi, established scholarship funds in honor of their children and their love for music. Eight scholarships in the amount of $600 each and one scholarship in the amount of $1200 were awarded to DMI students who performed as part of the Ol’ Skool Revue and DeltaRoX performing ensembles.
V. Personnel:
Tricia Walker, Instructor and Director of the Delta Music Institute
A.A., Copiah-Lincoln Community College
B.M.Ed., Delta State University
M.M., Mississippi College
A native of Mississippi, Tricia Walker earned a bachelor’s degree from Delta State University and a Master’s degree from Mississippi College before moving to Nashville in 1980 to pursue a music career. As a staff writer, Ms. Walker wrote for Word Music and PolyGram music, where she had songs recorded by Faith Hill, Patty Loveless, Kathy Troccoli and Allison Krauss, who won a Grammy™ for her version of the song, “Looking In The Eyes Of Love,” co-written by Ms. Walker. She worked as a vocalist and instrumentalist with award-winning artists Shania Twain and Paul Overstreet, along with Grand Ole Opry star Connie Smith. Ms. Walker served as Creative Director for Crossfield Music Publishing where she developed a staff of five writers and produced company demos and masters. She was the founder of the Bluebird Café’s legendary Women in the Round, a writer’s show featuring singer/songwriters Ashley Cleveland, Karen Staley, Pam Tillis and Ms. Walker. As proprietor of Big Front Porch Productions, Ms. Walker has produced five of her own CD projects and continues to perform her one-woman show, “The Heart of Dixie,” throughout the region. She returned to Mississippi in August of 2006 and now serves as the Director of the Delta Music Institute.